Related

VANCOUVER — The Dalai Lama closed the opening session of the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit Sunday morning with a call for a global promotion of compassion, and an increased emphasis on the promotion of women to positions of influence.

"Some people may call me a feminist," the Dalai Lama said quietly to a packed house at the Chan Cenre.

"But we need more effort to promote basic human values — human compassion, human affection. And in that respect, females have more sensitivity for others' pain and suffering."

The Dalai Lama's remarks were made in response to a moderator's invitation to the five panelists to share what they see as priorities in the quest for world peace. Sunday morning's discussion, World Peace Through Personal Peace, was one of several being held during the three-day Peace Summit.

The hour-long discussion touched on topics such as education, self-awareness, compassion, and the role of technology in achieving world peace.

"Real change must start with individuals, then family, then community," the Dalai Lama said as the session began.

"We really need to embrace the concept of the whole world as 'we'."

More than a thousand people attended the Sunday morning event, with Canada's Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean welcoming the crowd and the Dalai Lama via video.

Jean described the gathering of global spiritual leaders in Vancouver as "a dazzling constellation of global change agents."

She called on the guest speakers and the crowd to use the Peace Summit as a catalyst for change.

"You have a unique opportunity to dream big," she said. "Please be inspired. The world is counting on you. Peace is within our grasp."

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu had been scheduled to appear at the event, but was prevented from travelling from his home in Cape Town, South Africa, because of an injured back.

Victor Chan, friend of the Dalai Lama and founding director of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, joked that the injury may have been indirectly caused by Tutu's love of loud music and dancing. Tutu is 78 years old.

Tutu appeared via video to accept the Fetzer Prize for Love and Forgiveness, smiling and laughing as he spoke of an innate goodness shared by all human beings.

"I have seen in the world a great deal awfulness . . . but it is goodness, it is love, it is caring, it is compassion for which we are made," he said.

"We know in our hearts that many of our problems stem from our disregard of these virtues — the capacity to forgive, the capacity to reconcile, the capacity for caring for our fellow human beings."

During the panel discussion, each of the speakers was asked to describe their perception of world peace and comment on how they suggest finding personal peace.

"I believe that peace is the opportunity for all to flourish . . . to accord respect and dignity to those we regard as other, those we regard as being across the aisle from us, those we are stretched to love," Rev. Tutu said.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Saskatoon loves its Christmas lights. The Enchanted Forest draws thousands of vehicles each week. The late Bob Hinitt worked for months building his light display, which drew thousands of cars each year to Wiggins Avenue. And Scott Lambie on Clinkskill Drive has continued the tradition with more than 70,000 dancing lights (up from 50,000 last […]

When it comes to gift giving, they say it’s the thought that counts. But many are wondering if Mayor Drew Dilkens was thinking at all when he gave Olympic superstar Michael Phelps — whose battles with booze are well known — a big bottle of Canadian Club whisky.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.